Questions like this that appear unconnected to learning the trade are too infrequently asked, and for a moment, everyone in the class was stumped. After all, the Academy has more than one instructor for each course, and the teaching method changes depending on the person in charge.

The instructor had every student answer her question by bringing up the items, one by one, and letting them raising their hands for what they feel is the answer.

Most of the students picked the spirit stones, the only consistent ingredient needed to make a talisman. The type of beast blood, the material for the paper and the kind of paintbrush varies talisman to talisman, but spirit stones are the only standard ingredient.

The bulk of the rest are split between choosing the paper and the bottle of beast blood, the other materials needed. There are only a minority, very few in number, which selected the paintbrush which seems to be the least possible answer; since even fingers could be used for drawing talismans if one is skilled enough.

But surprisingly, Kairos also raised his hand in favour of the paintbrush, and when he did, many others follow suit. Not just those from the Snowdrifts, but others who know of his fame. The boy who improved the training grounds in Saint City. The creator of the Star Rune Weapon series. The one who defeated Von Cixton in Rune Weaving.

They had been waiting for him to answer; surely his talent in crafts will extend even to talisman creation.

The instructor that noticed a large group following this boy raised her eyebrows, and she called out Kairos directly, “Why do you think that the paintbrush is the correct answer?”

“Madam,” Kairos replied, standing up politely from his seat, “the brush is what defines talisman creation. Otherwise, there is no difference between talisman, inscriptions, stratagems and the other things fashioned from runes.”

After experiencing other crafts, Kairos knows that what tells one apart from another is never the ingredients.

The other students that heard his answer gave involuntary sighs of acknowledgement. It is true that the every item the instructor mentioned is important, almost vital, to the creation of talismans. But, if one is willing to lower the potency of the result or decrease the probability of talisman creation, they are still replaceable.

The brush, however, had always been the representation of the art itself. Without it, it can’t be called talisman creation and could fall into any other category.

There may be other items that could be used to draw, like fingers, sticks, or even metal vessels which could hold liquids, but they must all precisely replicate brushstrokes for the runic sets to take effects.

Runes are a heavenly language made of True Names that require every part of their symbol to be exactly perfect. A change in the thickness, the strength of a single stroke would create an entirely different meaning. In the five thousand years history of Saint Empire, the very first popular method for writing, brushes, had been passed down until today because of the ancients’ accumulated knowledge of Runic Letterings. Unless, of course, one invent their own non-paintbrush runic designs that far outstrip the rest, brushes will always be the most important thing in talismans creation.

Therefore, without needing the instructor’s affirmation, the rest already know that Kairos is correct.

The lady nodded at the Kairos with a smile, before explaining to the class, “Indeed It is the paintbrush that sets Talismans apart.

Brushstrokes are the accumulation of wisdom from our ancestors. Refined through the ages. In the history of talisman creation, attempts had been tried with all sorts of materials.

Though spirit stones are now the standard material vital to creating talismans, replacing it with other energy sources is possible. It is not well-known since the result often turn out less than ideal because every energy wave has different fluctuation patterns.

Likewise, Beast blood and talisman paper that is meant to be consumed as runic offerings can be replaced.

Well done to those that chose this as the answer. Hehehehehehe.”

Several students shivered from hearing those cutesy giggles. Sweat dripped from their forehead as they struggled to maintain a respectful visage to the instructor. Who knows if she would lose her temper again and punch someone to death? She certainly looks capable of doing so; just look at those muscles flexing whenever she laughs.

“Now that the rest of you knows that brushstrokes are the most important factor, we will start our first class with a drawing practice. You will use ink until you can perfectly replicate the runic designs. Once you believe yourself capable of making a perfect talisman, draw and submit five copies to me for grading, then move on to beast blood.

A simple piece of talisman requires over ten thousand strokes, and not one must be out of place, therefore until you have proven yourself capable, you will be continuing practice.

You may proceed”

There are a few students that immediately drew out five copies of talismans with ink on ordinary paper and submitted to the lady instructor. The ones that received a passing grade are instructed of their next tasks: creating actual talismans.

Kairos, being a beginner, had to start from scratch with ink and paper, but he found himself unable to control his strokes as he liked. His hand writing had always been neat, but talisman creation is so complex that mistakes repeatedly occurred and he could never follow the guide talisman until the last stroke.

Seven.

Six.

Nine.

Fifteen.

Twelve.

Thirty-two.

Eighty.

Hundred-fifty.

Each time he failed, he remembered the number of successful strokes he achieved before his mistake and encouraged himself. And slowly, as hours passed, he quickly improved but, it was more by practice and martial technique than any real talent that he became proficient in such a short time.

The unnamed movement art that Aisa had taught him during his fight with Devil-Syriong did more than teaching him a way to breathe or move around.

It enabled him a way to have much more control over his body than before, to make use of his strength to maximum effect; that was the prerequisite to learn the Astral Cataclysm and the Eternal Empyrean combat arts. Using this control technique, once he becomes familiar with the brush, his control turns flawless after a while.

“Aisa, does this have a name?”

The dragon, being able to connect to Kairos’ soul could understand exactly what he is referring to without explanation, and she replied with a snort.

Kairos~ this is just the normal way the ancient gods live and breathe in the Divine Realm, why would there be a name?

“Then… Let’s call it The Breath of the Ancients. That sounds super cool to me.”

Eh? Is there a need to give it a name?

“Of course, there is! If it has a cool name, more people will be attracted to learning it, and it will become a good thing for the Snowdrifts.”

Like Wyrmy, snakey, batsy, birdy, wolfies?

“Y..yeah… I guess?”

Yay~

After practising with many more copies using The Breath of the Ancients technique, Kairos’ calligraphy finally becomes good enough to submit his copies to the instructor.

He stood nervously next to the lady who is nearly two meters tall, but he is more intimidated by the fact he will be judged on his brush techniques than by her size; though at the back of his mind, he remarked that she is about the same size as the young Orc King he met.

“Good!” The imposing lady instructor barked, as she slapped a pat on Kairos’ back heartily.

The impact isn’t enough to harm Kairos’ Titan ranked physique, but the muscles bulging on her arm caused his eyes to widen.

“The strokes are still amateurish and a little weak, but with more experience and confidence, the strength you apply to the brush will become better. The control you have is commendable, and even I felt anxious for you when tracing your brushstrokes. The speed you used to make difficult turns made me worry a stray hair from the brush might destroy your work.

Remember, speed is only secondary in brush techniques. Everything is all about strength and control. The prior depends on the strength of your heart and the latter is talent and hard work.

Therefore, practice slow. For slow makes it accurate. And, accuracy gives you speed.”

Kairos nodded happily and skipped to the second part of the class. He did not worry about Alan and the rest. Having imparted to them Aisa’s control technique since a month ago, they will surely be able to succeed. For now, he is just more advanced at using The Breath of the Ancients since he had a head start, and also because he was taught by the primordial dragon inserting the knowledge straight into his mind.

Kairos began studying the different forms of talismans, and their effects. Each one he will be allowed to practice their complicated strokes with actual materials.

It is an inexpensive method for the student to learn because the Academy procures all the ingredients. But, on the other hand, every successful piece will also be taken by the school.

As Kairos studied the different kinds of talismans from a tome, a luminous butterfly flew into the auditorium and hovered before him. Those that saw stared curiously at it.

“A challenge?” Kairos mumbled, then touched it with his finger.

At the point of contact, the butterfly that looked like an actual insect transformed into a tiny sphere of light that spread out and became words.

th of 522 places)

Please contact your opponent within 72 hours. Otherwise, the challenge will result in a forfeit. NOTICE: For more information, please check the tournament rules and regulation in your handbook>>

After the words faded away, Kairos continued with his work as though nothing happened. There is no need to answer to the duel immediately, and therefore his interest is minimal, but those that saw the challenge whispered amongst themselves in excited eagerness. The news soon spread throughout the classroom, and many stopped working to discuss this upcoming fight.

The names of Kairos and Von are already dazzling within the academy. There’s no doubt on the fame that Kairos has, but before he became known as a prodigy, Von already made a name for himself.

Unlike Lux Cixton, Von is a contender for the next family head. However, as the youngest heir of the Steel Rose House, he has less time to establish himself for the position of heir apparent than the other competitors.

In addition, he was found lacking in cultivation talent since young, taking far longer than the average practitioner to improve his strength.

He only managed to climb to the second position among the heirs by his hard work, his cunningness and his hidden trump card. Therefore, he can never allow the shame of defeat at the hands of Kairos to persist.

Kairos, on the other hand, is unaffected and in complete focus on his task at hand; so much that everything else felt insignificant.

To be gifted the right to learn meant the world for Kairos and every person from the Snowdrifts.

Given a chance, he will not hold back.

Fearing that class is ending soon, he took the opportunity to memorise as many complicated talisman designs as he could from the book without understanding them.

Some of them are so intricate that most people that lay eyes upon the scribbles would feel their head spinning. Fortunately, once he learned a design, he would not forget it anymore.

Afterwards, to be graded for the second part of the class, Kairos started drawing a variety of talismans. A single copy each.

In class, the moment he places his brush with beast blood on the yellowed papers, he will be graded, and every piece must be submitted, no matter if it turns out to be a success.

Later, when the class is ending, the students are gathered.

The instructor had looked through all copies that were submitted, and she listed them in an organised manner.

Then, looking pleased with the result, she announced, “Some of you may have heard from the older students, there is a reward system in the talisman creation class.

The Academy will keep the talismans that you submitted for use or sales, but certain students that did well are allowed to select a few student-made talismans each class.”

The students that did not know about this reward system all had a great smile on their faces. No one will mind having more talismans in their possession.

These items are treasures that can be used to fill up the techniques that a user lacks or act as a replacement to save on energy expenditure during combat.

But of all its advantages, it is offset by its exorbitant cost, the limited number one can carry, and the time needed to activate it. Which although it is quick, it is still long enough to for a keen enemy to take advantage of it.

And, of course, the fact all talismans have limited use.

The instructor said, “Judging from the works submitted by today’s class, Kairos Astroire is definitely the top. His speed of drawing talismans is especially remarkable.

In total, he submitted seven, all of them with zero defects. An impressive number of usable submissions on the first class in Saint Cadets Academy history, and an impressive zero percent failure rate.”

Loud applause rang through the auditorium at her declaration.

Although there are only a few in this class that belongs to the Snowdrifts clan besides Kairos’ team, everyone smiled widely as if it is the most natural thing to happen.

The other students, however, were flabbergasted. Creating beginner talismans like what they are doing usually have a failure rate of fifty percent.

Those that are experts in talisman creation can lower that number to twenty percent, while masters in the art will fail only one in ten tries. Grand masters are the only ones that can have more than ninety percent success in creating beginner talismans.

Although seven pieces are too few to be a good judgement of his skill, he has not yet made a failed creation in his first lesson.

Kairos had once again proven himself skilful beyond the older students, and even though it is the first time he picked up a brush for talismans, he could show a result that others can only look up to.

But this isn’t anything miraculous, merely making use of the technique that Aisa imparted to have remarkable control over his hand and wrist movements.

However, this skill could not alter Kairos’ talent in talisman making, and he could feel that he is already quickly reaching the limits of his potential.

Besides brush techniques and an almost intuitive understanding of the materials needed for talismans, those truly talented in this art have a passion that leads them towards furthering talismans.

The instructor gave him an apologetic smile then said, “Unfortunately, even if I would love to, there isn’t any reward to give, for achieving the best results.

The reward system only judges those that made the most improvement for each class, but I mentioned you because I believe your efforts demands an acknowledgement.

For those that had displayed significant improvements, I will now announce your names. Come forth and pick a talisman from the pile.”

The instructor slowly mentioned the names of the students, and those that are called went over to the instructor’s table to select their piece.

The class’ reward system is made in a way to encourage growth instead of results. In a way, it cuts off the tendency of elitism. Having a system where winners are celebrated will only go against the old values which nobles have.

The more traditional nobles understand the value of old teachings from the sages, it could be said that many systems are made this way within Saint Empire to uphold a spirit of nobility.

Therefore, those that could improve themselves are encouraged, and in the future, the whole empire could benefit when they become masters.

But even without rewards, Kairos is already content with the lesson today and learning how to draw his own talismans. He has plenty of materials in the Space-Time containers to create even rare, high-grade, talismans.

Additionally, he looks forward to the interesting piece of homework the instructor has given to them.

A research of talismans with multiple uses.

To reduce the time used for activation, somebody thought up a way to skip the longest act of activation: taking out a talisman from a Time-space container. This innovation brought about new talismans that could use more than once before disintegrating.

Each student is given a large tome that holds the details of making such an item. As it is an advanced technique that requires the students to study before going to the next Talisman Creation class.

“Alright! Let’s work on this until it is perfected!”

Kairos thought with a wide smile on his face as he boldly looked forward to his future. He knows that, like cooking, he needs to find the right type of beast blood, the material to make the yellowed paper, and complementing the runic sets to create the effect he wants.

There are so many materials out there which he has no knowledge about that he did not know where to start. As though there is a large mountain before him to be conquered.

But, whatever talent he lacked, he knows that it will be compensated with effort. And that is one thing that those from the Snowdrifts never feared.

For the majority of those low-born who joined the Snowdrifts, succeeding is even more important to them than breathing. Because they can fall, but their families that depend on them cannot starve.

Kairos knows that many of them will forsake rest to learn everything they could when given an opportunity.

As the leader, he too does not fear hard work.

“Even if my bloodline is crappy. It matters not. I will go before them, and set a path leading to our promised future.”

A gentle smile appeared on Kairos face as he beheld those standing near him.